marvel

Everyday

1. A marvel is a wonderful, amazing thing or person. tree →
2. To marvel at something is to feel great surprise and admiration. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and science: the marvels of nature, the marvels of technology. In everyday talk: «It's a marvel you didn't fall.» Phrases: marvel at, a marvel of.

Examples

• The pyramids are one of the marvels of the ancient world. tree →
• We marvelled at the stars. tree →
• The new bridge is a marvel of engineering. tree →
• It's a marvel that nobody was hurt. tree →
• Grandma marvels at how fast I type. tree →
• The museum is full of marvels. tree →
• And they took the marvels with them to his court. tree →

Note

UK spelling: marvelled, marvelling; US spelling: marveled, marveling. Adjective: marvellous (UK), marvelous (US). Marvel is also the name of a comic company; that use has a capital M.

In Jewish tradition

Here it means that the brothers looked at each other in surprise, because Joseph had seated them in order of age.

Interpretation. The rabbis noticed that Joseph seemed to know their ages, which hinted that he was more than a mere Egyptian ruler.

Examples

• And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth; and the men marvelled one with another. (Torah GEN.43.33, JPS 1917) tree →
• If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and the violent perverting of justice and righteousness in the state, marvel not at the matter; for one higher than the high watcheth, and there are higher than they. (Writings ECC.5.7, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

UK spelling: marvelled, marvelling; US spelling: marveled, marveling. Adjective: marvellous (UK), marvelous (US). Marvel is also the name of a comic company; that use has a capital M.